Santiago (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong received in Santiago on November 10 (local time) a delegation from the Chile-Vietnam Cultural Institute led by President Patricia Abarzua as part of his official visit to Chile.

The President highly appreciated the long-term contributions of the Chile-Vietnam Friendship Cultural Institute as well as its President to the two countries' relations, especially the good affection of Abarzua and the institute’s members for land and people of Vietnam, as well as the institute's tireless efforts in enhancing Chilean people's understanding of Vietnam.

Cuong said Vietnam will never forget the support and solidarity of the Chilean people for the just struggle of the Vietnamese people, especially Abarzua’s participation in a march from the port city of Valparaiso to Santiago in 1969 to express support for the Vietnam people’s just struggle.

He expressed his wish that Abarzua and the institute continue to serve as a bridge to promote people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and Chile and accompany others to enhance understanding of the people of Chile and South American countries about Vietnamese culture, history, land and people.

He thanked the institute for its support and coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Chile to organise activities to promote Vietnam in the host country, especially on the occasion of Vietnam's major anniversaries, and various other cultural and educational events.

Cuong said he believes that Abarzua will continue to play an effective role as a bridge, contributing to developing and further deepening the comprehensive partnership between the two countries. He invited Abarzua and the institute’s members to visit Vietnam an appropriate time.

Abarzua, for her part, agreed with Cuong’s comment on the special significance of educating the two countries’ young generations to better understand the tradition of friendship between the two peoples founded by President Ho Chi Minh and President Salvador Allende.

She affirmed that she will continue to work with the institute’s members to promote solidarity activities and serve as a bridge to increase the Chilean people’s understand on the land and people of Vietnam, especially national construction and development of Vietnam today.

Besides, she said, the institute will also continue to renew its operations, contributing to strengthening and deepening friendship between the two countries./.